**Two Orphans and One Happy Home—How Fate Set Everything Right**
Natalie and Emily rode the bus toward a quiet little village. A short walk from the stop, and they found the right address. The garden was lively, festive—tables being set as if for a birthday party. The girls paused at the gate, and almost immediately, a man stepped out to greet them.
“Lasses, you here for us?” he asked with a warm smile. “Who are you looking for, my dears?”
“We need to speak with Michael Thompson,” Emily answered.
“That’s me,” he replied, eyebrows lifting in surprise. “From the council, are you?”
“No,” Emily said, glancing at Natalie. “This is my friend Natalie. Nat, show him the photo.”
Natalie carefully unfolded an old picture and handed it to him. Michael studied it for a long moment, then looked back at her. His expression shifted right before their eyes.
“She’s your daughter,” Emily said softly.
Michael froze.
“My… daughter?”
This story had begun long before that moment. Two very different girls, Natalie and Emily, met in a children’s home. They arrived the same day and were placed side by side from the start. Both orphans—left alone by the choices of adults and cruel twists of fate.
Emily had lost her mother, who, though not poor, had preferred a reckless life—loud parties, fleeting romances. Her father? A name on paper, sending money but never his presence. Relatives refused to take her in, and after her mother’s death, all that remained was a crumbling flat and a one-way ticket to the home.
Natalie had lived with her gran. Her mother died in childbirth; her father… Gran knew who he was but never sought him out. He had another family, with no idea a daughter existed. When Gran passed, Natalie ended up in the same place.
The home put them in neighbouring beds. They bonded instantly but never quite fit in with the others. Often defending each other, often clashing with the rest—it only drew them closer.
After leaving, they rented a flat together and enrolled in college. That’s when the idea took root—to find their fathers.
Emily’s was simple enough; his details were on record. Natalie’s proved harder. But old photographs with scribbled notes on the back gave her a name. Then came the internet, scattered leads, addresses… and now here they were, stepping toward fate.
Emily’s father came first. A grand house behind tall gates. They knocked. The reply was cold.
“He’s not here. Go away.”
No luck at his workplace either. Hours later, he finally appeared. The conversation was short and brutal.
“I don’t want you. I paid. I’ve got a family—you were a mistake. Stay out of my life.”
Emily told him where to go, then burst into tears.
“Right, your turn now,” she said, wiping her face. “Let’s find yours.”
The address wasn’t hard to track. The garden was decked out for a celebration—someone’s milestone birthday. Michael Thompson was in high spirits. Then he saw the photo. Heard the words *“She’s your daughter.”* His face darkened, then crumpled in confusion.
“You… don’t look much like your mum. But… there’s something. Robbie! Fetch your gran!”
“Who’s this?” A teenager poked his head out.
“Just go, hurry!”
An elderly woman appeared—spry, bright-eyed.
“What’s all this fuss, Michael?”
“Mum, don’t panic… This is my daughter. Your granddaughter.”
“Good Lord! Really? What a blessing!” She beamed. “Girls, don’t just stand there! It’s my birthday—70 today!”
Natalie and Emily were swept inside with open arms. Gran dug out old photos—no doubt left. The same eyes, the same smile, even the same birthmark.
“We could do a test,” Natalie murmured.
“If you like. But I don’t need one. You’re ours. And Emily too. One granddaughter’s grand—two’s even better!”
Emily cried again.
“None of that,” Gran scolded gently. “Today’s a happy day. Michael lost his wife five years back—just me and the lads here. Now we’ve got you two. Food first, then stories. Meet your uncles—Michael’s got four brothers. Youngest is Oliver.”
The celebration was like nothing they’d known. Laughter, embraces, memories shared. Michael kept murmuring,
“How did I never know?”
“Meant to be this way,” Gran said firmly. Then, nudging Emily, “See how William looks at you? Reckon we’ll have another wedding soon.”
And she was right. A year later, William and Emily married. Natalie stayed close, a sister in all but blood. Michael became the father both had needed. And Gran? She’d say, “Found two granddaughters in one go—that’s fate for you.”
Sometimes, life does set things right. Even if it takes a little heartache along the way.
